Chapter 73: Negotiating Rates on the Spot
"So early? I'm still developing. Lack of sleep stunts growth." Ren's voice was muffled by the pillow. He recognized Uzuki Yugao's voice outside his door, but that didn't motivate him to move.
Creeeak.
The door opened. Uzuki Yugao, already in full Anbu gear, stepped inside. She took in the lump under the blankets and sighed. "One day won't stunt you. Get up. The Hokage is waiting."
"Wow, Senpai! So heartless! Taking the old man's side against me!" Ren whined, rolling over but making no move to rise.
Uzuki Yugao's eye twitched. Calling the Hokage an "old man" to his face? Besides the Hokage's own grandson, Ren was probably the only person in Konoha bold—or foolish—enough to do it.
Seeing he was immovable, she strode over and yanked the blanket off in one smooth motion.
"Enough. Team 7 is leaving the village today. The Hokage has a special briefing for you."
Team 7 leaving the village? Land of Waves, here we come.
The thought had Ren stretching and swinging his legs out of bed. He'd been waiting a month for this. An opportunity to leave Konoha, to step onto a larger stage. And in the Land of Waves, a particularly lucrative "sheep" was waiting to be... acquired.
"Lord Hokage. Ren Arakawa."
A few minutes later, Ren stood in the Hokage's office, sans Anbu mask and armor at Yugao's instruction. Today's mission was "special."
Hiruzen Sarutobi, robes impeccable, sat behind his mountainous desk, processing scrolls with Iruka's assistance. The room hummed with quiet bureaucracy.
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[VIP Highlight: Tobirama Senju - "I want to hit him every time I see him."]
Tobirama Senju (VIP5): Every glimpse of that scheming disciple makes my hand itch. Ren, hit him for me.
Ren Arakawa (subvocalizing): He's a kage-level combatant. Unless you donate the Senju bloodline, that's a hard pass.
Tobirama Senju: Get out.
"Ren. How has the Anbu internship been?" Hiruzen asked without looking up.
"Profoundly boring," Ren answered honestly.
A faint smile touched Hiruzen's lips. "I anticipated that response." He finally set down his scroll and met Ren's gaze. "Naruto has been... restless. Agitating for more substantive assignments."
"That's what happens when you assign genin glorified chores," Ren shrugged.
Hiruzen picked up his pipe, taking a long draw. "A C-rank escort mission has come in. I'm assigning it to Team 7. I want you embedded with them."
"Sure. For the right price, I'm flexible."
"You haven't changed," Hiruzen chuckled, though his eyes remained sharp. "Double the standard C-rank rate."
Ren's eyebrows rose. The old man's being generous. Too generous.
Ren Arakawa (subvocalizing): Interesting. He's buying loyalty. Or trying to. Time to test the market.
"Double? Lord Hokage, we're leaving the village. Risk factor increases exponentially. I want double that. Quadruple the base rate."
Hiruzen's pipe froze halfway to his lips. The air in the office chilled several degrees. Iruka and Yugao exchanged horrified glances.
Minato Namikaze (VIP1): He's... haggling with the Hokage?
Uchiha Fugaku (VIP1): The audacity is almost impressive.
Tobirama Senju: A grudging noise. The boy has spine. I'll give him that.
Hiruzen took several deep, steadying breaths, smoke curling from his nostrils. After a long moment, he spoke, his voice tight. "Very well. Quadruple."
He agreed too easily, Ren thought, a pang of regret hitting him. Should've asked for tenfold.
Iruka looked like he was witnessing a sacred ritual being desecrated. Yugao just facepalmed behind her mask.
The door opened, cutting the tension. Kakashi slouched in, followed by Team 7. Kakashi's lone eye immediately found Ren, narrowing slightly.
"Jiang Cheng! What are you doing here?" Naruto boomed, his earlier pout forgotten.
"Same as you. Mission pick-up." Ren offered a casual wave.
Sasuke responded with a dismissive snort and looked away. Sakura hovered in conflicted silence, torn between greeting the boy who'd hospitalized her and maintaining her righteous anger.
Minato Namikaze: At least Naruto's friendly with him.
Uchiha Fugaku: And my son isn't. Your point?
Minato Namikaze: ...No point.
"Jiang Cheng, catch up later!" Naruto declared, clapping Ren on the shoulder before turning his dramatic attention to the Hokage. He pointed a bold finger. "OLD MAN HOKAGE! I'M DONE WITH CATS AND WEEDS! GIVE ME A REAL MISSION OR I QUIT!"
THWACK.
Kakashi's fist connected with the top of Naruto's head, sending him to the floor in a groaning heap. "My apologies, Hokage-sama. He's... enthusiastic."
Hiruzen's expression was unreadable.
Tobirama Senju: Fourth, your son lacks wit but possesses astonishing courage.
Minato Namikaze: He has many fine qualities! You'll see!
Uchiha Izuna (Regular Viewer): Courage? He just threatened to quit in front of the man who had the White Fang killed. I'm concerned for his life expectancy. Remember Sakumo?
Sakumo Hatake (Regular Viewer): ...Must you?
Ren Arakawa: Izuna, I credited you with intelligence. I may have been mistaken.
Uchiha Izuna: Am I wrong? Konoha's leadership are serpents. Eye-thieves, son-threateners. Would normal people do that?
Ren Arakawa: Context. Naruto is the Kyūbi's jinchūriki. They're too busy protecting their investment to eliminate him. Your analysis is shallow.
Uchiha Izuna: Oh. Right. Forgot that part.
Minato Namikaze: Ren's analysis is comforting. In a terrifying way.
Hiruzen leaned forward, his gaze heavy on the still-groaning Naruto. "You truly desire a more challenging mission?"
The performance had begun. Ren watched, amused. The old fox was staging a grand show of 'special consideration' to bind Naruto's loyalty tighter. The grilled fish visits, the 'personal' attention—it was all masterful manipulation.
Naruto, of course, saw none of it. He scrambled to his feet, puffing out his chest. "OF COURSE! I'M THIS AWESOME NOW! HOW CAN I SHOW SAKURA-CHAN HOW COOL I AM WITH D-RANKS?!"
Sakura blinked. "Huh?"
Tobirama Senju: He's... courting? Already?
Uchiha Izuna: Your academy is a failure. Early romance, showing off... no normal graduates.
Minato Namikaze: ...
Tobirama Senju: ...
Hiruzen allowed a grave, considered nod. "Very well. A C-rank escort mission to the Land of Waves. Protect the bridge builder, Tazuna. Team 7, you are assigned. Ren Arakawa, you will accompany them as auxiliary support and liaison. Kakashi, you have command."
He looked at Ren, the unspoken words hanging between them: You're getting quadruple pay. Earn it.
Ren met his gaze and gave a slight, confident nod.
The game was moving to the next board. The stakes were higher. The players were assembling.
And Ren Arakawa, negotiator of outrageous fees, would-be protector, and hidden variable, was ready to play.